Homer on the Case

 

One of my favorite things to do is shop the rows of the library for new reads. That's where I found Homer on the Case by Henry Cole. I had read other books by Henry Cole and really enjoyed them, so I decided to give it a try! It was such a cute story, I was glad it came home with me from the library. 

Homer is a homing pigeon that loves to read detective comics from the newspaper. While flying around the local park he sees a group of devious animals stealing from humans. The local police are stumped by the thefts and only Homer and his new friend, Lulu, the talking parrot, can solve the mystery and return all the stolen goods. 

This is such a sweet, fun story that is perfect for animal lovers of all ages. It is on the shorter side which is nice to help kiddos finish it quickly and feel accomplished with themselves because they finished a book! It's great for the whole family. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 

Now, go and READ!

Grab your own copy here: Homer on the Case

Beyond Ivy Walls

Rachel Fordham is one of my favorite clean romance authors! Beyond the Ivy Walls was released in 2024 and it is reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorite movies. 

We follow Otis Taylor, a self-inflicted recluse. He hides so no one can see his scars and think less of his families name. When a mysterious message about a long lost family member comes into his possession he has to face his worst fear: stepping back out into society. He will do anything to find his family! He crosses paths with Sadie West, a spunky, hard-working woman who helps him find peace in the situation around him. Not only with himself, but also with his family and the past that still haunts them all. 

Fordham's books are the perfect blend of romance, whit and even some historical elements. I have read all of her work and have enjoyed all but one... we can talk about that later 😊 

All of her books are stand alone novels with beautiful story-lines and great endings. 

I hope you enjoy! 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your own copy here: Beyond Ivy Walls

Winterborne Home Duology

 

I've read Ally Carter since I was a teenager and have loved every book I have read. Side note: she has a new adult series, but the reviews I've read mention things that aren't normally what I read so I'll just stick with her YA/ Middle Grade books. 

When I recently found this duology, I sat down and finished both books within a 24 hour time period! I couldn't put them down! My heart broke when I finished the last one because I knew it was over. These books suck you in and don't let you go until the last 'The End'! 

In the first book, Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor, we get introduced to a group of five orphans who are adopted into the Winterborne home for gifted children. Gabriel Winterborne, the dead heir to the Winterborne estate, has left his home in the hands of some interesting characters and its up to the five orphans to figure out who is good and who is evil.  

There is mystery, intrigue, a creepy mansion, a sword-wielding vigilante, an evil uncle, and a ghost that haunts the mansion at night. This series is just fabulous! A total page turner that will keep any reader, young or old, hooked until the very end.  

The first book is Vengeance and Valor and the second is Mayhem and Mystery. They must be read in order or you will spoil all the good stuff and be really confused! 😂    

I hope you enjoy these as much as I did! 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your copies here: 

Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor

Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery

The Beat I Drum

Previously on the blog, I talked about Dusti Bowling's book Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus (check out the post on April 18, 2025). During my research online about this series, I found out that a new book was going to be added and I FREAKED!!! I was so excited. When I saw it on the shelves in the store I immediately grabbed it, and read it that weekend! 

The Beat I Drum by Dusti Bowling is about Connor (who we meet in the first two books). He has recently moved to a new part of Arizona to be closer to his dad. Starting in a new school is hard enough, but Connor has Tourette Syndrome and when people don't understand why you randomly bark like a dog, it makes it hard to find your place in a new surrounding. 

Connor finds a great group of friends who introduce him to what this new town has to offer. At school, he finds a love for his music class. His teacher, Ms. Chen, works with him to find a musical instrument that helps Connor work through a lot of inner turmoil. 

Words cannot fully express how much I love this series and The Beat I Drum is the perfect addition! It is positive and uplifting. I really enjoyed how Dusti Bowling wove the Tourette Syndrome through the book. Connors ticks just became natural to the reader and you fall in love with his story and his new group of friends! This series would be best read in order so you can see the character development and know who is who. It's wonderful for all readers, young and old!! 

Read it! It's fabulous! 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your own copy here: The Beat I Drum

The Chocolate Touch

 

As a private tutor, I am always looking for good books for my students to read. My newest hunt has been to find shorter books to help students get done sooner so they can feel excited that they finished a book! During my hunting process I found The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling. This is the perfect blend of a short book with a great message attached. 

We follow a young boy, John Midas, who loves chocolate. His parents want him to eat a well rounded diet (like most parents) but John doesn't like fruits and veggies. So he decides to sneak chocolates whenever he can. As part of this subterfuge, he runs into a brand new candy store where the owner blesses him with the chocolate touch: everything that touches his mouth turns to chocolate. 

At first, John loves it. He can't believe that even the water from the water fountain at school turns into chocolate. During a test he nervously puts his pencil to his mouth and, viola, John now has a chocolate pencil. 

After a while, the chocolate touch starts to become more curse than blessing and John has to learn that too much of one thing isn't good for us. We need variety, in our diet and in life! 

This story is full of funny and heartfelt moments that will keep even the most reluctant reader hooked to it's pages. 

I hope you enjoy. 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab you own copy here: The Chocolate Touch